Post-mortem Findings In Chemical Poisoning Flashcards
Absent external staining
HCl
Lips may be blackened
Sulfuric acid
Similar to HCl but cutaneous stains are yellow
Nitric acid
Lips, mouth, pharynx and larynx are inflamed with patchy erosion of mucous membrane
Ammonia
Dirty yellow stains at angle of the mouth
Caustic alkali
Face is pale
Hydrocyanic acid
Whole body may have a shrunken appearance
Acute arsenic poisoning
Brownish and shrunken stains at the angle of the mouth, chin and cheeks
Phenol
Body is emaciated
Chronic arsenic poisoning
Lead
Icterus
Lead
Corrosion of epithelium and swelling of lips
Mercury
Eyes are prominent and pupils are dilated
Hydrocyanic acid
No external manifestation
Phosphorus
Angle of mouth may be whitish, opaque and inflamed
HCl
Mouth and nostrils may show froth
Hydrocyanic acid
Surface of tongue, mouth and lips becomes slightly reddened or dark and eroded
Caustic alkali
Cutaneous surfaces, especially hands and feet are eroded
Acute arsenic poisoning
Pigmentation of skin with eczematous eruptions
Chronic arsenic poisoning
Parotids are enlarged
Lead
Skin is bright pink
Hydrocyanic acid
Tongue ans mucus membranes of mouth may be softened, corroded and white in color
Sulfuric acid
Membrane may be dettached exposing the submucous layer which may be chocolate or black
Caustic alkalis
Hair is scarce
Chronic arsenic poisoning
Wasting of muscles of shoulder, arm and forearm
Lead
